By Mu’azu Hassan @ katsina times
The Former Councillors Forum of Katsina State has commended Governor Dikko Umar Radda for what it described as his inclusive and people-centred style of governance, while calling on the administration to launch an industrial revolution by establishing cottage industries across the state's 34 local government areas.
The commendation was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Dauda Mohammed Kurfi, and dated July 24, 2026.
The Forum praised Governor Radda for institutionalising citizens' participation in the state's budget formulation process, describing the initiative as a significant departure from conventional governance.
According to the Forum, the participatory budgeting process has strengthened democratic governance by encouraging residents to see governance as a shared responsibility and to actively contribute to planning, monitoring and supporting government programmes.
It also commended the people of Katsina State for their peaceful conduct, patriotism and constructive contributions during the budget consultation meetings held across the state, noting that the impressive turnout reflected growing public confidence in the present administration.
While applauding the initiative, the Forum urged the government to ensure the effective implementation of the approved budget so that the aspirations and recommendations of citizens would translate into tangible development projects and improved living standards.
The Forum further congratulated Governor Radda on the commissioning of several road projects across various local government areas and the commencement of new road construction projects, saying the infrastructure investments would improve transportation, stimulate commerce, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and enhance socio-economic development.
It also lauded the establishment and commissioning of the Cassava Processing Company in Batsari, describing it as a strategic investment that would strengthen agricultural value chains, create jobs, encourage commercial farming and boost the state's economy.
As part of its recommendations, the Forum urged the governor to declare an industrial revolution in Katsina by establishing at least one cottage industry in each of the state's 34 local government areas.
It said such an initiative would harness the comparative economic advantages of each locality, promote value addition to agricultural and mineral resources, create sustainable employment opportunities for youths and women, encourage rural industrialisation and position Katsina as a leading agro-industrial and manufacturing hub in Nigeria.
The Forum also recommended the establishment of a tomato processing company in Ajiwa to utilise the area's agricultural potential, as well as a sugar processing company in the southern part of the state to support large-scale sugarcane cultivation and agro-industrial development.
In addition, it called on the state government to establish a state-owned mining company to explore and develop Katsina's abundant solid mineral resources, arguing that such a move would diversify the economy, increase internally generated revenue, create thousands of jobs, attract private investment and reduce dependence on federal allocations.
The Forum maintained that Governor Radda's reforms, infrastructure projects, agricultural initiatives, economic empowerment programmes and security interventions had continued to improve the lives of residents, describing the achievements as evidence of visionary and responsive leadership.
It therefore called on the people of Katsina State to continue supporting the administration in the interest of peace, unity and sustainable development.
The Forum also expressed support for the continuity of the governor's reform agenda, urging citizens to renew his mandate at the appropriate time to consolidate the gains already recorded and ensure sustained economic prosperity and inclusive development across the state.
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